5 x 10 Squaredrop Build - Timberline

[mmccrumb]

I'm not sure where in the planning and building process one normally names their trailer, but my son said mine should be called Timberline. I love it, even if I live in the flat state of Michigan!

My "Newbie" introduction can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=40&t=76319
Includes pic of the donor trailer I bought for the base of the project.

Demolition was fun, and I was able to salvage a LOT of great stuff. I was able to grind off the surface rust of the frame, weld on corner supports with angle iron, prime, and bedliner spray paint. Took off the dry-rotted tires, and cleaned up the wheels and got new rubber put on.

Finally started construction last week! A good friend helped me torch off some skid-plate from another trailer he was scrapping, and after a few hours of sandblasting, I primed and painted it. I rolled on bedliner on the flat side, which is the road side. Used the "bottom" as the new top, so I could screw my 3/4 BDX plywood onto that. This is welded and bolted into place (overkill!!!).

3/4" BDX plywood, followed by foam insulation between 2x4 framing, and topped with 1/4 plywood.

[mmccrumb]

I love the name Timberline for your trailer! It gives a great vibe, even in flat Michigan. The build process sounds like a blast, especially getting creative with the skid plate.

Thanks for the reply! I've only been at a timberline once, and that was in Colorado...haha. So, it'll be a bit out-of-place, but it just sounded too good to pass up. The skid-plate certainly added some rigidity to my frame. Since weight is less of an issue, I was happy to not lighten the wallet and accept the free-gift. Plus, it adds a layer of defense between the bottom of the camper portion of the trailer. Hoping to get some side-walls mocked up this weekend!

[mmccrumb]

Made some progress today! Figured out my side profile, and window placement. These are the windows I salvaged from the donor trailer. The driver's side window is a fire-egress window. We're doing a rear exit door design, with a side-slide-out kitchen (also to come out of the driver's side). Used 2x4 framing for the front wall to help with load and wind resistance. Side walls framed with 2x4s ripped in 1/2. Windows just tucked in to see how it looks, not secured.

Ordered my entry door from Vintage, and that shows up tomorrow, but I don't think I'll build the back wall until my wiring is done on the inside to make it easier to get in an out It's fun to see it starting to take shape!

Mike

Donor trailer pics here: viewtopic.php?f=40&t=76319

[Paintsalot]

Nice seeing the walls go up- I’m not far from putting some up too.
Cool window.


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[mmccrumb]

Nice seeing the walls go up- I’m not far from putting some up too.
Cool window.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! It's been a great project. The windows were from the trailer I salvaged (Craigslist purchase for $300 bc a tree fell on it). Got lots of great donor parts, will be selling some, and using others.

I just looked at your build, that is IMPRESSIVE! Your model work is so great, and probably much needed with that complex of a design. Well done!

[mmccrumb]

Busy couple days. Finally completed the walls, and began the roof. All components fitted for walls and ceiling (window, door, baggage door, and vent fan). A little more roof work, and a few more boards on the inside and I can start PMF, slide-out kitchen, and wiring.

The info here has been invaluable to this process, making it so easy to find what I need! Thanks to all of you who have trodden this fun path.

Mike

[mmccrumb]

With some pocket screws (thanks Kreg system!) and glue, I was able to make the slide-out drawer, out of some scrap 3/4" plywood. I purchased some 300lb 3" x 56" drawer slides (they aren't cheap $150 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C52GDWP?re ... title&th=1). They did the trick, and the drawer slide locks into place at three positions: closed, 1/2 way, full way. I'm glad it slides all the way out, allowing me to open the fridge from the outside. I do plan on making a top access door to the inside cabinet to allow for fridge access from the inside as well. Still working on the inside cabinet, to keep the cabin warm when open (insulation and framing it like an outside wall).

I'm making a cutting board to sit on top of the fridge, unless I fashion something more fancy, haha. I'm trying to keep this simple, so I'm currently planning on just setting it on top of the fridge when using.

Very happy with how this part of the project came out!

Next steps: PMF and wiring. Gonna hit the 70s again these next few days, so I'll be figuring out the PMF process, thanks for all the good info here.

Mike

[mmccrumb]

PMF has begun! It's a neat process. Learning some lessons along the way. If I ever build another one, changes will be made. VERY happy with how its coming out, and its so much stronger than I anticipated.

Again, so thankful for other build journals and information here!

Mike

[mmccrumb]

Last glue coat PMF

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Last glue coat PMF 2

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The last of the Titebond II glue has been applied...what a chore

Teak flooring

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I found these indoor/outdoor deck tiles on Amazon Prime day, for $16/box. All told, I have $48 in the flooring. They snap in place and fit perfectly. Since they are tiles, there are air gaps under the wood and between the parquet design, which I'm hoping means I won't have mold issues under the mattress. They should handle expansion/contraction with temp changes well, and can be pulled out if there is a bad leak or spill. Plus, I LOVE how they look...even if I won't see much of them when the mattress is in sleeping mode.

Mike

[mmccrumb]

I spent a handful of hours running ALL of the wiring. Got the exterior DOT lights wiring ran, the exterior lights for use in campgrounds, and the interior wiring ran for lights and vent fan. A lot of work left to do in getting the fuse panel and switches all hooked up, but all in due time. It was nice to put up some insulation on the far wall with less wiring, and then see what our wall covering choices look like. We love the cedar look and smell, and the bead-board running perpendicular gives it a homie feel.

Wall covering and wiring

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After three coats of primer I applied the first base color coat using a latex acrylic paint. Not cheap, but hopefully after three coats (one each day), it'll make for a durable and long-lasting finish. We've chosen a tan and green color combo. The green will go on last, and probably just go up about a foot from the bottom.

First exterior coat

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[mmccrumb]

Another productive week in the books:

Finished the paint (will do touch-ups when all buttoned up). We're going for the wilderness theme, and quite pleased.

Paint complete

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Vent fan installed, and was quite pleased it worked. Wiring success!

fan

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I purchased a clearance priced 60" toolbox from Tractor Supply. I'll put my diesel heater in there, routing the fresh air and exhaust out the bottom. To run the duct into the trailer I'm using 4" PVC. The heat duct will run in that between the toolbox and trailer. Those two cuts took me 3 hours to plan, measure, and accomplish...I did NOT want them to not line up. Still waiting on the 15 liter diesel tank to arrive to finish that part of the project. But, I did wire in the control unit into the trailer, will be mounted next to my switch plate. And I wired the power to the heater. Both wiring jobs worked, to my happy surprise.

Diesel Heater ducting

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Mike

[mmccrumb]

The door was installed (purchased from Vintage). The DOT lights are installed, and the exterior light (plus two more on each side) are installed. It took some figuring out, but I wired in on-on SPDT switches to be able to turn the exterior lights on from the bed or from just inside the door.

Door and lights

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Got the kitchen door installed, and also added in the shore-power connection (which will power my Jackery and/or a power strip). You can also see in the picture how terrible I was at cutting my fabric and cleaning the frayed edged. For our purposes, we're okay with the "home built" look. I like to call it "character" haha.

Kitchen door, Shore power

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Mike

[pchast]

looks good to me!

[mmccrumb]

looks good to me!

Thanks! We're excited to get to use it yet this late fall/early winter!

Mike

[mmccrumb]

Using 3" flexible tubing I got the heater vented into the trailer. There is just enough clearance from the end of the slide out kitchen/fridge...whew!

heater vent

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Here is a good pic of the toolbox. The diesel heater will be mounted on the passenger side once my 10 liter diesel tank shows up. Plenty of room in there for wheel chocks, jack pads, firewood, propane for stove, etc...

Tool box

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My wife picked these bedside lights out. They are flexible, can be dimmed, has a USB outlet on the bottom. We put one on each side of the bed.

bedside light

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